This Trebuchet instructable is for someone looking to have some fun with a project or needs instructions for how to build one for school. Some provisions made need to be made with your trebuchet to make it work the best so testing it around wont hurt. Setting up the trebuchet like the one provided should give consistent results from 15-25 feet of being capable to launch. This project does take quite a bit of time but if you have the time for it, it will definitely pay out.

Step 1: Materials

4 eye hooks
screws and nails (any kind)
hammer
2 2x4s 18 inches long and 2 2x4s that are 6 inches long
wheels
Spray Paint (Optional)
2 2x4s that are 11.5 inches and 1 2x4 that is 20 inches long (Swing Arm)
piece of plywood that is 10x10 inches and is cut in half
piece of cloth
piece of metal that is 7.5 inches long and 1 inch thick
piece of plywood that is 18 inches long and 6 inches wide
string
drill
weights
Zip Ties
Saw

Step 2: Step 1

Take 1 2x4 that is 18 inches long and 1 2x4 that is 6 inches long and nail them together

Step 3: Step 2

repeat step one and drill the two pieces together so that a base is formed for the trebuchet

Step 4: Step 3

take the piece of plywood that is 10x10 inches long and cut it in half so the two pieces are 5x5 inches long

Step 5: Step 4

cut a hole directly into the two pieces of wood that are 11.5 inches long and make sure that they are perfectly alligned

Step 6: Step 5

measure 6.5 inches from one side of the base and apply an 11.5 inch piece to the base so it serves as an upright for the swinging arm

Step 7: Step 6

repeat step 5 to the other side of the base so that two 11.5 inch pieces are lined up equally and each has a hole for the metal to go through

Step 8: Step 7

place the piece of metal that is 7.5 inches long and 1 inch thick into the two holes so that it is able to hold up the swinging arm (Make sure the arm can move freely around the metal so the trebuchet can obtain its maximum throwing range)

Step 9: Step 8

attach the swinging arm to the piece of metal by cutting a hole 5 inches from one side of the swinging arm and make sure the metal can fit through the hole. Cut another hole 1.5 inches from the same side you just cut your whole in so the zip ties can hold the weights

Step 10: Step 9

take the two pieces of plywood you cut in step three and attach them to the outside of the supports to cover up any nails and give the base more strength

Step 11: Step 10

take the big piece of plywood that is 18 inches long and 6 inches wide and stick it in between the two supports attached to the base, then nail it in place

Step 12: Step 11

take 2 eyehooks and screw them into the plywood that is attached to the base (1 inch from each side of the plywood is where you should screw)

Step 13: Step 12

cut a piece of cloth that is 5 inches by 3 inches to act as a slot to launch the golf ball

Step 14: Step 13

take two more eyehooks that are spaced two inches from each other on the bottom of the short piece of the swing arm and attach them

Step 15: Step 14

Take a nail and remove its head with a metal cutter, attach it to the end of the swing arm and slant it up the loop you are about to create can release and launch

Step 16: Step 15

tie knots around the 2nd eyehook of the swing arm that is attached to one end of the cloth

Step 17: Step 16

on the other side of the cloth, attach a string that is 10 inches long and tie a loop on the end to connect it to the nail

Step 18: Step 17

take a zip tie and put it through the hole that is 1.5 inches away from the short side of the swing arm and attach a weight (preferably 10-15 pounds)

Step 19: Step 18

once the weights are attached, make sure you create a trigger that can hold down the swing arm and release when the string is pulled

Step 20: Step 19

spray paint your piece if you want to

Step 21: Step 20

After you have finished all of these steps, give a pat on your back and go test it out to see if you need to fix any error

Step 22: Final Step

You have finished your trebuchet! Have Fun with it!!!!!

Introduction: Small Trebuchet